Bangkok, at 9:30 AM April 24th, 2025 — Mr. Sitthiphon Wibunthanakun, a list MP from the People’s Party and chair of the House Economic Development Committee, urged a broader investigation into Chinese nominee shareholders in Thai construction firms, following the collapse of the State Audit Office building.
Agencies including the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Department of Business Development (DBD), Thai Industrial Standards Institute, Iron and Steel Institute, and Engineering Institute of Thailand were summoned to discuss nominee involvement.
The DSI confirmed evidence of nominee shareholding and illegal substitution of engineers in the company behind the State Audit Office building.
Sitthiphon called on the government to expand checks to other buildings and companies suspected of Chinese nominee control, warning the issue extends beyond construction into agriculture and education sectors.
He revealed a sharp increase in nominee-established firms—from 500–600 in the past five years to 300 new ones just last year—often using Thai nationals to hold 51% of shares.
While existing laws cover ownership rules, he stressed better coordination is needed between agencies like the DBD and DSI to trace financial trails and address legal loopholes.
